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Partnership for Excellence in Cancer Research

The University of Puerto Rico and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Form the Partnership for Excellence in Cancer Research

Significant disparities in cancer incidence and outcomes exist among ethnic minority populations. Through a Minority Institute/Cancer Center Program U54 Grant awarded by the National Cancer Institute's Center to Reduce Health Disparities, the University of Puerto Rico and MD Anderson seek to address and, ultimately, eliminate cancer health disparities through the development of clinical, research, outreach and educational activities that benefit both institutions.

By creating the Minority Institute/Cancer Center Program, the National Cancer Institute's Center to Reduce Health Disparities strives to facilitate a "team" relationship between the Center itself and the partnering institutions to create opportunities for training, research and outreach by focusing on the importance of detecting cancer early among ethnic minority groups, improving cancer control and prevention within minority and underserved populations and designing support programs aimed at reducing racial and ethnic disparities in cancer incidence and survivorship.

The main objectives of the Partnership are to:

establish a comprehensive long-term mutually beneficial partnership between the University of Puerto Rico System and MD Anderson

develop collaborations to share expertise in a particular area (research, clinical, infrastructure, management)

expand outreach activities across Puerto Rico

build and sustain a training, mentoring and career development pipeline that targets trainees as early at the undergraduate years on up to seasoned professionals

enhance each institution’s ability to apply for external grants that focus on eliminating cancer health disparities among ethnic minority populations

The long-term goal of the Partnership is for MD Anderson to assist the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center in regaining its status as an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Read the 2009 update on the research facility dedication ceremony for the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center.